Portrush motorcyclist caught doing 118mph was 'shocked' that he hit such a speed
A motorcyclist caught doing a speed of 118mph didn't realise he was going so fast and was "shocked and horrified," a court was told.
James Black (22), of Coleraine Road in Portrush, was detected in a 70mph zone - the Crankill Road dual-carriageway near Ballymena - at 3.40pm on Wednesday August 13 last year.
He pleaded guilty to exceeding the speed limit and also admitted a driving licence charge. The licence did not cover him to drive the bike, described on a charge sheet as a Honda '600'.
The court was told the defendant had a previous record for speeding when he did 85mph as an R driver and careless driving when, according to a defence barrster, he had driven over a grass verge in a car park at 1am.
A defence barrister said there was no excuse for doing 118mph on August 13 last year. He said the defendant, a lorry driver, was on his way from work.
He said the defendant did not realise how fast he had been going and when it was pointed out he was "shocked and horrified".
The barrister said the defendant's mother was in the public gallery of the court and when she "became aware of this incident she took the keys off him. He hasn't driven a motorbike since". The lawyer said the motorbike has now been "sold".
District Judge said it was "far too high a speed" and banned the defendant from driving for six weeks along with a £300 fine.